3 Flame-Tongued Viper (2/2)

However, the viper just reached within 200 meters of them before stopping and curling up into a ball.

Closing its eyes, it laid down its head on top of the ball and…yawned.

Seeing this, both Aaron and Woof got dumbfounded expressions on their faces. Woof even tilted its head to look at that ball, while suspicion started to arise in its mind.

Hey, what's wrong with you? Why do you look like you're so drowsy? Is this some sort of trick to lull us into a false sense of security?

”You made me wake up Ace during its nap. Who are you? Why are you disturbing the peace? Where are you from? You do know that I can lock you up according to the rules set down by the World Government, right?”

A stocky man wearing coarse clothes walked up to the viper and stroked its head, which made the surprise that Aaron and Woof were feeling grow.

So…other beasts could gain companions, too? Like the two of them?

Now that they had a moment to take in the details of the viper, they noticed a few jarring facts that they had ignored before.

The viper was fat.

The ones they always encountered in the forest were highly agile, ready to move at lightning speed at a moment's notice. Yet, this one only looked like it was only capable of strolling around lazily, which would make it prime prey for the many predators who would have loved to snack on its bulging, oversized body.

Also, the moment that man's hand touched the viper's head, the viper closed its eyes comfortably and leaned forward, as if it loved how it felt.

What the hell was going on?!

Aaron turned to look at Woof, who only looked back with that same expression of befuddlement.

Yes, something was definitely wrong.

Yet, seeing their expressions, something seemed to dawn on the stocky man.

”Oh, I see! You must have gotten lost in the forest and survived on your own after having your gathering run over by beasts or Teras! It happens, you know. Children get kidnapped and have no option but to survive on their own if they are lucky enough to escape captivity. Most die, but I've heard that some manage to survive with the help of a few kind Teras. How much do you know, boy? Do you know what year it is? Do you know anything about the world?”

Aaron could understand what the man was saying, but most of it didn't make sense.

However, that last line made him shake his head.

Seeing this, a burst of booming laughter appeared from the stocky man before he spread his hands and spoke in a grand tone.

”BWAHAHA, I can't believe I found someone rare like you! I'm Ernst, the Hamlet Chief of Skystead Hamlet! Ascenders always think twice before challenging Ace, my Flame-Tongued Viper! It's the year 2220, and you, boy, are in the Age of Teras! You can keep your head low and live like an insect, or you can rise up and aspire to tread the 'Path to the Stars' as an Ascender! Whatever you choose, be careful, as safety is something that no longer exists for humanity!”

This grand statement made expressions of consternation appear on the faces of many who had gathered, yet Aaron's eyes opened wide while his jaw dropped.

His heart thundered in his chest, and his mind was in turmoil as he had just obtained a clue regarding the second and last sentence which had been in his mind from the moment he had awakened.

”If you wish to find out who you are, then Ascend to the top of the Path to the Stars!”